y
had come to attack were better armed than themselves.

"Now, Pierre, tell them that if they come on many of them will be
killed," said Captain Rymer; "we don't wish to injure them, but we are
resolved not to yield to their demand."

The Frenchmen hearing this at first seemed to hesitate, but shouting to
each other they again advanced towards the embankment. "You will take
the consequences of your folly," said Captain Rymer, and Pierre
interpreted what he said. Several shots were fired, and two or three of
the Frenchmen were apparently hit. The discharge had the effect of
making them retreat. It was evident, however, that from the few muskets
that had gone off that the powder was far from good, and that little
dependence could therefore be placed on their firearms. Still it
appeared that the French had had enough for the moment, as having failed
in their expected surprise of the English they retreated once more to
their own camp. But the state of affairs was very serious, as it could
not be supposed that they would not again attempt to attack the camp.

"One thing must be done," observed Captain Rymer; "as soon as the sun
comes out we must dry our powder, that it may prove of more use than it
did just now." In a short time daylight broke, and the sun, rising out
of the ocean, shed a bright light over the scene. As he rose, his rays
fell on the white sails of a ship, not two miles from the island.
Captain Rymer's telescope was immediately turned towards her. "She's an
English frigate," he exclaimed.

"Let me look, sir! let me look!" cried Harry, eagerly.

"That she is, indeed, and my own ship, the _Arethusa_, I am sure she is,
I should know her among fifty other frigates. We expected that she
would be sent out to the West Indies."

The great point was now to draw the attention of those on board the
frigate to the island. A flagstaff was quickly erected at a point clear
of the trees, and as the flag was run up, several muskets were fired at
the same time. They waited anxiously to see the effect. In another
minute an answering gun was fired from the frigate, and almost at the
same moment a couple of boats were seen approaching the shore. Harry's
delight was very great when he recognised several of his shipmates in
the boats. The second lieutenant of the frigate, who came in command,
was the first person to step on shore. Harry, forgetting his own
appearance, instantly ran up to him, and was somewhat